Police: Norteno burglary ring busted | News

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WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - West Sacramento police say a prolific residential and auto burglary ring operated by Norteno gang members was crippled Wednesday.

Police Lt. Deanna Stevens said officers with multiple Yolo and state law enforcement agencies served 13 arrest and search warrants resulting in 13 arrests, three assault rifles, four handguns, (several of which were stolen), an active honey oil lab, five pounds of marijuana, a quarter pound of methamphetamine, ammunition, and body armor.

Also, children were removed by Child Protective Services from three locations where the contraband was recovered.

Stevens said more than 80 residential burglaries and 51 vehicle burglaries were believed to have been committed by the suspects and street-level gang members ages 16 to 20. The crimes were in West Sacramento and outlying areas just since last December.

Many of the suspects had previous arrests for firearms, Stevens said. Besides the burglaries, Stevens said the suspects are alleged to have committed carjackings, robberies, shootings and brandished firearms around the Sacramento region.

Those arrested were to be booked in Yolo County Jail and juvenile hall on suspicion of possession, sales and distribution of narcotics; conspiracy; property crimes (burglaries, possession of stolen property); robberies, carjackings; and brandishing firearms, Stevens said.

The "Operation Red Bandits" investigation was conducted by the West Sacramento Police Department, Yolo Narcotic Enforcement Team and the California Department of Justice.